| Is Our Shopping Destroying the Earth? |
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| posted Aug 8, 2007 9:28:10 AM | To All |
I know it sounds like a silly question, but with so many people jumping on the "Buy Green" bandwagon, now there's an anti-consumerist movement of people who say it's better to Buy Nothing At All.
In the US we have a huge culture built on consumerism and we really do buy too much stuff. Some more than others, so I can understand concern and people wanting to cut back.
Shirley Siluk Gregory over at GreenOptions says there are pros and cons to the argument and poses the questions:
Is Shopping Anti-Environment? And is not buying anything a legitimate strategy for conserving and saving the Earth?
What do you think? Can reusing what we already have and never buy new save the Earth in the long run? Or is responsible consumerism the way to go?Edited by: GranolaJoe on Aug 8, 2007 9:32:58 AM |
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"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
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| Is Our Shopping Destroying the Earth? |
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| posted Aug 8, 2007 9:45:21 AM | To All |
i think that is a great discussion. i often think about how much americans consume compared to other countries. even in terms of eating! when you go to a restaurant the portions are SO big. our cars are so big. the ammount of clothes and things we "need" seem so out of proportion to what we really need. think about the ultimate american holiday, Thanksgiving. it's so much about eating a gigantic meal. and when it comes to christmas, i think about my niece and nephew and how they're disappointed if they get fewer than a gazillion presents.
but at the same time, i think we've become used to such things and changing our habits are hard. i think reusing EVERYTHING and not buying anything new again would be too drastic a change for most people to make. resonsible consumerism, or conscious consumerism, is really what we should strive for. |
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| Is Our Shopping Destroying the Earth? |
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| posted Aug 8, 2007 10:21:19 AM | To All |
There are times that I want something new, and there are times that I reject the new and fall in love with the old. I love finding old and interesting things and I’m drawn to them. I try to buy things that need a second chance.
I bought both my turntables used from another DJ - two Technics SL-1200 MKIIs that I paid someone to re-tune. My used mixer was free with my purchase. I haven't bought CDs in years and buy only vinyl. I love finding old records that people have forgotten and have sat for 20-30 years (and that's where most of my money goes, in addition to traveling).
Years ago I was obsessed about clothes and bought something new 3-4 times a week. Today I wear the same clothes I bought 5-6 years ago, I have a pair of shoes that I still wear that I bought 8 years ago, and today I'm wearing a shirt that my father gave me 10 years ago.
I've always bought used cars and I probably always will. I live in a part of Denver that has many historic buildings that I absolutely love. After getting married next year, my girlfriend and I are planning to stay in Capitol Hill and rent a nice old house we can fix up.
However, I still struggle with my own consumerism because though I am a very simple person at heart, I sometimes slip and find myself buying things compulsively.
I am an active person - I play soccer, I snowboard, hike, camp, etc. and I never buy used. I'm very adamant about getting only the newest and best equipment for sports or outdoor activities because I've learned the hard way that you get what you pay for.
While I do regret buying these new and expensive things, I can only justify it by promising myself I will use everything I buy as much as I possibly can. I think that with my record of using things for many years, I can keep that promise and be a responsible consumer. |
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"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
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| Is Our Shopping Destroying the Earth? |
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| posted Aug 22, 2007 12:35:17 PM | To All |
| We can never stop consuming things because of the fact that we wear clothes and eat food. Clothes wear out and we need to eat to live. The only other alternative is to weave your own clothes and grow your own food. However, you need sufficient land to do that and land is taxed. I see no other option to consumption of goods, unless you are dead! |
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| Is Our Shopping Destroying the Earth? |
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| posted Sep 5, 2007 6:36:27 AM | To All |
If we buy used items when we can and recycle and reuse as much as possible, this will help the earth as a whole. I mean, do we really need all the trinkets made in China?
I try to buy local or at least from my own state when I buy new items because it supports our economy and as someone who has sold handcrafted items in the past, I know the value of supporting local businesses.
We decided quite a while ago that we would stop consuming so much and it certainly saves money! |
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| Is Our Shopping Destroying the Earth? |
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| posted Sep 10, 2007 11:46:22 AM | To All |
I'm going to take a different angle on this. Shopping IS destroying the earth, but only because we're buying the wrong things.
The west is rooted in consumerism, and nothing short of nuclear winter is going to change that. By continuing to perpetuate the idea that we need to Buy Nothing in order to be green, we'll ensure that being green continues to be at odds with the mainstream.
If we're smart, we'll embrace consumerism as a tool for green change. Instead of making green activism an elite and unaccessible clique of people wearing one T-Shirt for 10 years, we need to make it accessible for everyone.
Dress fabulously - but do it in Hemp or Bamboo instead of Nylon. Listen to the newest music - by downloading the files instead of buying CDs. Decorate your home - not with Chinese trinkets, but with unique pieces from a local artist.
The manufacturers don't know we want green if we don't buy it. And we'll make a much bigger impact if we get the manufacturers to spread green products to the masses. |
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| Is Our Shopping Destroying the Earth? |
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| posted Sep 10, 2007 12:47:38 PM | To All |
I agree about the consumerism in our society. I don't need all the latest gadgets that come along - whereas my husband wants every new computer or technology toy, which I try to talk him out of.
I hadn't thought of some of your ideas as being "green" but I belong to a book club called Audible.com where I can download books to my computer. Saves buying what's already out there and postage, etc.
I also buy from local artists when I can as I've been one of them! I make unique, one of a kind bead work creations and it used to upset me no end to do a art fair and have people remark that they could get beaded jewelry for a fraction of the price (made in China or Thailand).
I'd love to buy the clothes you mentioned too. If enough people want them, the prices will come down. |
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